BIOLASE, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 573	$ 304	$ 289
Charges (Reversals) to Cost or Expenses	1,261	291	241
Deductions	(123)	(22)	(226)
Balance at End of Year	1,711	573	304
Allowance for sales returns
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year				110
Balance at End of Year	110	110	110	110
Allowance for tax valuation
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	35,566	33,341	33,784
Charges (Reversals) to Cost or Expenses	6,503	2,225	(443)
Balance at End of Year	$ 42,069	$ 35,566	$ 33,341