Colored translucent zirconia sintered body and its use

Abstract

A zirconia sintered body having not only high strength but also excellent aesthetic properties. A colored translucent zirconia sintered body, characterized by containing an iron compound and from 2 to 4 mol % of yttria, showing a lightness L* of from 51 to 80 in L*a*b* color system, and having a relative density of at least 99.80%. The colored zirconia sintered body preferably has a total light transmittance of at least 20% as measured at a sample thickness of 1 mm and with a D65 light source. The colored translucent zirconia sintered body has aesthetic properties equivalent to those of natural teeth and is particularly suitable for a zirconia sintered body to be used for dental applications, and further, suitable for a mill blank such as an artificial tooth material or the like, and an orthodontic bracket.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.