The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic molding, comprising the following steps: a) providing three or more ceramic powder layers that are arranged in layers, one on top of the other, to form a compression-molded element and sintering the compression-molded element obtained in step b) to form a ceramic molding, characterized in that the ceramic powder layers have different compositions, each ceramic powder layer comprising a mixture of at least two different base powders and each base powder containing at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2 and at least 0.02 wt. % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, each weight amount being relative to the total weight of the constituents of the base powder.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic molding, comprising the following steps: a) providing three or more ceramic powder layers that are arranged in layers, one on top of the other, to form a compression-molded element and sintering the compression-molded element obtained in step b) to form a ceramic molding, characterized in that the ceramic powder layers have different compositions, each ceramic powder layer comprising a mixture of at least two different base powders and each base powder containing at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2 and at least 0.02 wt. % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, each weight amount being relative to the total weight of the constituents of the base powder.

The invention relates to a sintered molding with a color gradient for use in the manufacture of dental restorations, obtainable by sintering a compression-molded element comprising five or more different ceramic powder layers, each powder layer comprising at least two different base powders and each base powder containing at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2, each weight amount being relative to the total weight of the base powder.

The invention relates to a sintered molding with a color gradient for use in the manufacture of dental restorations, obtainable by sintering a compression-molded element comprising five or more different ceramic powder layers, each powder layer comprising at least two different base powders and each base powder containing at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2, each weight amount being relative to the total weight of the base powder.

A method for making a ceramic body comprised of a ceramic material having an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is provided. A dental prosthesis may be made of a ceramic material that comprises a molybdenum-containing component on a portion of the prosthesis that contacts the gingival surface of a patient. In one method, a porous zirconia ceramic structure is shaped in the form of a dental prosthesis, and then infiltrated with a molybdenum-containing composition, before sintering to densify the ceramic structure.

A method for making a ceramic body comprised of a ceramic material having an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is provided. A dental prosthesis may be made of a ceramic material that comprises a molybdenum-containing component on a portion of the prosthesis that contacts the gingival surface of a patient. In one method, a porous zirconia ceramic structure is shaped in the form of a dental prosthesis, and then infiltrated with a molybdenum-containing composition, before sintering to densify the ceramic structure.

A method for making a ceramic body comprised of a ceramic material having an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is provided. A dental prosthesis may be made of a ceramic material that comprises a molybdenum-containing component on a portion of the prosthesis that contacts the gingival surface of a patient. In one method, a porous zirconia ceramic structure is shaped in the form of a dental prosthesis, and then infiltrated with a molybdenum-containing composition, before sintering to densify the ceramic structure.

A method for making a ceramic body comprised of a ceramic material having an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is provided. A dental prosthesis may be made of a ceramic material that comprises a molybdenum-containing component on a portion of the prosthesis that contacts the gingival surface of a patient. In one method, a porous zirconia ceramic structure is shaped in the form of a dental prosthesis, and then infiltrated with a molybdenum-containing composition, before sintering to densify the ceramic structure.

A method for enhancing mechanical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. A porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body may be treated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to sintering. Alternatively, zirconia ceramic powder may be coated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to forming a shaped ceramic body. After sintering, the resulting ceramic bodies have enhanced mechanical properties, such as greater fracture toughness, without a significant decrease in optical properties.

A zirconia ceramic material for use in dental applications is provided comprising an yttria-stabilized zirconia material stabilized with 5 mol % yttria to 8 mol % yttria, and methods for making a sintered body from the ceramic material. The zirconia ceramic materials exhibit both enhanced translucency and a flexural strength of at least 300 MPa, or at least 500 MPa, when fully sintered.