Improved systems and methods for producing dental restorations and ceramic materials for such restorations are disclosed. Optical properties, preferably including color and translucence characteristics, of a tooth or teeth of a patient are measured with a shade measuring instrument. The tooth to be restored is prepared, and a physical or virtual dental impression is created. A prescription for the restoration, which typically includes color, translucence and thickness information, is sent to the restoration fabrication facility either electronically or physically. A recipe and/or a mixture of ceramics are generated for the restoration, with multiple layers being specified, based on the measured optical properties. The recipe algorithm may adapt, or process checks may be performed, based on measurements of fabricated layers. Preferably, dental ceramics are specified to bracket the region of color space relevant to human teeth, and a reduced set of ceramic materials are manufactured and distributed. Based on measured optical characteristics of the ceramic materials, recipes and/or material mixtures are specified or prepared for the restoration. A virtual impression data file may be transmitted to the laboratory instead of a physical impression.