An artificial vertebral disk replacement implant is disclosed along with its method of operation and a method of implanting. The implant has first and second plates that each mate with a vertebral body. Each plate has one side for mating with a vertebral body. The first plate has a socket on one side, and the second plate has an elongated ball on one side. The ball of the first plate and the socket of the second plate form a ball-and-socket joint when the two plates are in contact with each other. The implant achieves a range of motion equivalent to a natural range of motion.