A process for making a sintered ceramic medical device, comprising providing an unsintered ceramic composition, forming the unsintered ceramic composition into a green body that comprises unsintered ceramic, irradiating the green body with microwave radiation, and cooling the sintered body. The microwave radiation has a frequency capable of heating the unsintered ceramic to a temperature sufficient to sinter the green body, thereby preparing a sintered ceramic medical device. A medical device comprising volumetrically sintered ceramic, and a volumetrically sintered ceramic are also disclosed.