Shaded, zirconia ceramic materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in dental applications. Ceramic bodies are made from a zirconia-containing ceramic material and a coloring composition comprising a terbium (Tb)-containing component and a chromium (Cr)-containing component as a coloring agent. The pre-shaded ceramic body is machinable into a dental restoration either as a bisque body or sintered body. A pre-shaded machinable sintered ceramic body may obviate the need for further processing steps, such as shading or sintering, and may be suitable for use in chair-side machining applications, such as in a dentist's office, significantly reducing the time to create a custom finished product.
