A method of implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis in a patient comprises selecting a superior and inferior endplates from a plurality of endplates having different endplate features. The different endplate features include different structural and material composition features. In addition, a core is selected from a plurality of cores having different core features such as different structural and material composition features. In one embodiment, the core is a composite core comprised of a first material and a different second material. After the endplates and core are selected, the intervertebral disc prosthesis is assembled with the selected core positioned between the selected endplates. The assembled intervertebral disc prosthesis is then positioned on an insertion tool and implanted in the patient.