Objective To make an evidence-based treatment plan for a smoker with periimplantitis. Methods Based on the clinical problems raised from the case, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2009), ACP Journal Club (1991 to July 2009), MEDLINE (1950 to July 2009), EMbase (1980 to July 2009) and Chinese Journal Fulltext Database (1994 to July 2009) for guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of the included studies was assessed. Results A total of 4 systematic reviews, 8 RCTs were included. The following methods were supported by Level A evidence: (1) Scaling combined with local antibiotics; (2) Guided bone regeneration; (3) Non-surgical debridement with titanium hand-instruments or with an ultrasonic device. Based on the available evidence, we proposed a three-stage therapy plan for the patient: In the first stage, full mouth ultrasonic scaling was performed. The peri-implant pocket was debrided with plastic curettes, and then minocycline gel was applied once a week for four times. The patient was persuaded to maintain oral hygiene and quit smoking. In the second stage, four weeks later, open flap debridement and guided bone regeneration were conducted. In the third stage, long-term care of oral hygiene and dental implants were performed. After 6 months of follow-up, the peri-implant tissues were healthy with no evidence of inflammation, bleeding or suppuration. Conclusion Based on the approach of evidence-based medicine, we accomplished the treatment of the case with reliable outcomes.