An artificial disc having a pair of baseplates (10, 30), for sealing against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that includes a ball (22) attached to baseplate (10). The ball is captured within a curvate socket (37) formed in a peak of a housing (31) attached to the other baseplate (30). The socket is formed by opposing curvate surfaces, one on the convex structure and one on the baseplate. The ball rotates and angulates in the socket. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate and angulate relative to one another. Rotation of the ball can be limited. The device can be axially compressive and can include wire mesh (14, 34) on the outer surfaces of the baseplates.
