Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.7.0.1
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended
Apr. 18, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]      
Preferred stock, par value   $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Working capital   $ 12,200  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash   3,800  
Net accounts receivable   $ 9,220 $ 9,784
Private Placement      
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]      
Warrants exercisable description   The Warrants become exercisable on October 18, 2017 and expire five years after the date of issuance or, if earlier, five business days after the Company delivers notice that the closing price per share of BIOLASE common stock exceeded the Exercise Price for 20 consecutive trading days during the exercise period.  
Subsequent Event | Private Placement      
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]      
Aggregate unregistered shares 80,644    
Number of warrants to purchase aggregate unregistered shares of common stock 3,925,871    
Price per share of unregistered shares of common stock $ 1.80    
Conversion of stock, each shares issued 100    
Stock conversion, price $ 1.24    
Proceeds from equity offering, gross $ 10,500    
Warrants exercisable date Oct. 18, 2017    
Warrants exercisable of private placement term expiration period 5 years    
Number of consecutive trading days 20 days    
Subsequent Event | Series D Participating Convertible Preferred Stock | Private Placement      
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]      
Aggregate unregistered shares 80,644    
Preferred stock, par value $ 0.001    
Number of warrants to purchase aggregate unregistered shares of common stock 3,925,871