Prof. Lang received his DDS in 1961 and MS in Prosthodontics in 1965 from the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry (UMSD). He joined the Michigan faculty as an assistant professor in 1965, was promoted to associate professor in 1969, and professor in 1972. From 1971 to 1996, he also served as chair of the school’s Department of Complete Denture Prosthesis.

He was director of the Nobel Biocare UMSD Center for Excellence in 1994. In recognition of his contributions in research and education, he has received a number of awards including: the 1995 Presidents Award, the 1997 Daniel Gordon Award, and the 2006 Clinician/Research of the Year Award from American College of Prosthodontics; and in 2002, the UMSD Service Award.

He is a past president of the Academy of Prosthodontics, and the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is currently chair of the editorial committee for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. He retired from UMSD in 1998 and is currently a professor emeritus there.