A total disc replacement implant having a first anchor plate, a second anchor plate, and a intradiscal articulation element, wherein: the first anchor plate has a first vertebra engaging surface and a second interior surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having an articulation recess, the first anchor plate having a plate length defined by a distance along the X-axis, a plate width defined along a Z-axis and extending between an anterior side and a posterior side, the anterior side and posterior side being generally parallel to one another, the plate length being greater than the plate width, the second anchor plate has a first vertebra engaging surface and a second interior surface opposite the first surface, the second anchor plate having a plate length defined by a distance along the X-axis, a plate width defined along a Z-axis and extending between an anterior side and a posterior side, the anterior side and posterior side being generally parallel to one another, the plate length being greater than the plate width, and the intradiscal element being associated with the interior surface of the second anchor plate and having an articular surface dimensioned to articulate within the recess of the first anchor plate, characterized in that: the first vertebra engaging surface of the first anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the first vertebra, the first vertebra engaging surface of the second anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the second vertebra and wherein the length of the first anchor plate and the length of the second anchor plate are dimensioned so as to extend laterally across a disc space such that lateral ends rest on the hard cortical ring at the lateral aspects of the disc space when the implant is positioned in the disc space, and wherein the position of the intradiscal element on the second anchor plate being biased toward the posterior side of the second anchor plate, and wherein at least one anti-migration feature is situated to confirm the proper position of the posteriorly offset intradiscal element via radiographic imaging when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. the first anchor plate has a first vertebra engaging surface and a second interior surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having an articulation recess, the first anchor plate having a plate length defined by a distance along the X-axis, a plate width defined along a Z-axis and extending between an anterior side and a posterior side, the anterior side and posterior side being generally parallel to one another, the plate length being greater than the plate width, the second anchor plate has a first vertebra engaging surface and a second interior surface opposite the first surface, the second anchor plate having a plate length defined by a distance along the X-axis, a plate width defined along a Z-axis and extending between an anterior side and a posterior side, the anterior side and posterior side being generally parallel to one another, the plate length being greater than the plate width, and the intradiscal element being associated with the interior surface of the second anchor plate and having an articular surface dimensioned to articulate within the recess of the first anchor plate, characterized in that: the first vertebra engaging surface of the first anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the first vertebra, the first vertebra engaging surface of the second anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the second vertebra and wherein the length of the first anchor plate and the length of the second anchor plate are dimensioned so as to extend laterally across a disc space such that lateral ends rest on the hard cortical ring at the lateral aspects of the disc space when the implant is positioned in the disc space, and wherein the position of the intradiscal element on the second anchor plate being biased toward the posterior side of the second anchor plate, and wherein at least one anti-migration feature is situated to confirm the proper position of the posteriorly offset intradiscal element via radiographic imaging when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. the first vertebra engaging surface of the first anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the first vertebra, the first vertebra engaging surface of the second anchor plate includes anti-migration features configured to engage the second vertebra and wherein the length of the first anchor plate and the length of the second anchor plate are dimensioned so as to extend laterally across a disc space such that lateral ends rest on the hard cortical ring at the lateral aspects of the disc space when the implant is positioned in the disc space, and wherein the position of the intradiscal element on the second anchor plate being biased toward the posterior side of the second anchor plate, and wherein at least one anti-migration feature is situated to confirm the proper position of the posteriorly offset intradiscal element via radiographic imaging when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.