An intervertebral implant for contact with adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The implant includes a first carrier plate including a front edge, a middle, a rear edge, and a concave, crowned joint surface comprising a lowest point. The implant further includes a second carrier plate including a front edge, a middle, a rear edge, a center line extending between said front edge and said rear edge, and a convex, crowned joint surface comprising a highest point. The joint surfaces are positioned flatly in contact with one another and are configured to support the carrier plates pivotably with respect to one another. The highest and lowest points of the joint surfaces are positioned between the rear edges and the middles of the carrier plates. The convex joint surface projects farther away from the second carrier plate at its end facing the rear edge than at its end facing the front edge.