A method of making a monolithic dental restoration. The method includes the steps of providing a monolithic precursor of a dental restoration and firing the monolithic dental restoration precursor to provide the monolithic dental restoration. The zirconia material of both the dental restoration precursor as well as the dental restoration has a relative density of greater than 98% of the theoretic density of the zirconia material. The invention helps providing a color of a non-glazed dental restoration which resembles the color of a glazed dental restoration.