BIOLASE, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Classification of Compensation Expense (Credit) Associated with Share-Based Payments (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (Credit)	$ 621,000	$ 301,000	$ 2,256,000	$ 887,000
Cost Of Revenue
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (Credit)	46,000	29,000	184,000	116,000
Sales and Marketing
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (Credit)	(42,000)	91,000	445,000	328,000
General and Administrative
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (Credit)	594,000	162,000	1,442,000	378,000
Engineering And Development
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (Credit)	$ 23,000	$ 19,000	$ 185,000	$ 65,000