Natural-looking dental prosthesis

A coloring system kit for coloring a ceramic dental prosthesis comprising:

• (I) at least 4 unique liquid colorant compositions, wherein each colorant composition comprises:
• (a) a Zn(NO3)2·6H2O opaquing agent;
• (b) an AlCl3·6H2O opaquing agent;
• (c) an Fe(NO3)3·9H2O coloring agent;
• (d) a Ni(NO3)2·6H2O coloring agent;
• (e) polypropylene glycol;
• and
• (g) at least one solvent;
• (II) at least one unique liquid opaque composition, wherein each opaque composition comprises at least one opaquing agent;
• and
• (III) a liquid incisal solution comprising a Mg component.

A method comprising:

• testing a ceramic dental prosthesis, wherein the ceramic dental prosthesis has a total length, for color criteria:
• a drop in L* and C* as defined by a negative slope of L* and C* vs distance from incisal edge to within 1 mm of the incisal edge;
• a point of lowest lightness in the 33% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis that is distinguishable with a ΔE of greater than 7 due to both a lower L* and C* when compared with a middle 45-55% of the ceramic dental prosthesis length;
• a saturation at a translucent opal halo of the incisal (minimum L*) of no more than 70% that of the middle 45-55% of the ceramic dental prosthesis length;
• and
• an average C* and S throughout the middle third of the ceramic dental prosthesis length that is greater than or equal to C* and S at the border of middle 45-55% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis and 33% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis near the incisal region;
• opacity of no less than 65% in the middle 40-80% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis relative to the incisal edge.
• and providing a ceramic dental prosthesis that satisfies the color criteria to an end-user.

A sintered body shaped as an anterior tooth and comprising 5 to 8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia and Al, Zn, and Fe as coloring pigments, comprising:

• a drop in L* and C* as defined by a negative slope of L* and C* vs distance from incisal edge to within 1 mm of an incisal edge;
• a point of lowest lightness in the 33% of a total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis that is distinguishable with a ΔE of greater than 7 due to both a lower L* and C* when compared with a middle 45-55% of the ceramic dental prosthesis length;
• a saturation at a translucent opal halo of the incisal (minimum L*) of no more than 70% that of the middle 45-55% of the ceramic dental prosthesis length;
• and
• an average C* and S throughout the middle third of the ceramic dental prosthesis length that is greater than or equal to C* and S at the border of middle 45-55% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis and 33% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis near the incisal region;
• opacity of no less than 65% in the middle 40-80% of the total length of the ceramic dental prosthesis relative to the incisal edge.