Instrumentation for properly seating an artificial intervertebral disc in an intervertebral space

An apparatus for bringing baseplates of an artificial intervertebral disc substantially parallel to one another in an intervertebral space, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one shaft having a distal end and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least two tines extending parallel to one another from the shaft distal end in a same direction as that of the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the disc comprises at least two baseplates coupled to one another by a central coupling between the baseplates, which coupling permits the baseplates to articulate relative to one another, including articulating such that the baseplates are substantially non-parallel to one another and including articulating such that the baseplates are substantially parallel to one another, the baseplates being separated from one another by a separation space volume when the baseplates are substantially parallel;
• and
• wherein the tines are spaced and sized to be insertable and fittable between the baseplates and to substantially fill at least a height of the separation space volume at an area of the insertion when so fitted, and to straddle the central coupling during the insertion and when so fitted, such that when the baseplates are substantially non-parallel to one another in the intervertebral space, insertion of the tines into the intervertebral space between the baseplates and straddling the central coupling forces the baseplates into a substantially parallel orientation relative to one another.