Objective To analyze the effect of different staining methods and sintering times on the color and bonding performance of zirconia ceramics in patients undergoing oral restoration. Methods A total of 100 patients requiring oral restoration admitted to our hospital from April 2024 to March 2025 were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the observation group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group used immersion staining, and the observation group used preformed staining. The color changes and bonding performance changes of zirconia ceramics under different sintering times were compared between the two groups. Results There were statistically significant differences in L*, a* and b* values between the two groups under different sintering times (P <0.05). The L*, a* and b*values of the two groups after sintering 3, 4, 5, and 6 times showed no statistically significant differences compared with those after sintering 2 times (P >0.05). The micro-shear bond strength of the observation group after sintering 3-6 times was lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). The micro-shear bond strength of the two groups after sintering 3, 4, 5, and 6 times showed no statistically significant differences compared with those after sintering 2 times (P >0.05). Conclusion Both immersion staining and preformed staining can change the color of zirconia ceramics to a certain extent. Although the color change of zirconia ceramics with preformed staining does not completely depend on the number of sintering times, multiple sintering may affect the final color de velopment. Immersion staining can further improve the bondi ng performance of zirconia ceramics with the increase in the number of sintering times.