A process for the manufacture of a zirconium oxide prosthesis, the zirconium oxide being stabilized, which process includes the following steps: a) compacting a zirconium oxide powder at a pressure of at least 45 MPa to an object of a desired form, b) impacting an etchable medium into the surface, c) optionally working the object to a final shape, d) sintering the body at a temperature of above 1170° C. to transfer zirconium oxide into a tetragonal crystalline structure, and e) etching the etchable medium using hydrofluoric acid to remove the medium and impart a micromechanical retention surface. A prosthesis prepared by this process is also disclosed.