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

Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 1,711	$ 573	$ 304
Charges (Reversals) to Cost or Expenses	86	1,261	291
Deductions	(32)	(123)	(22)
Balance at End of Year	1,765	1,711	573
Allowance for sales returns
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	110	110	110
Charges (Reversals) to Cost or Expenses	100
Balance at End of Year	210	110	110
Allowance for tax valuation
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	42,069	35,566	33,341
Charges (Reversals) to Cost or Expenses	7,445	6,503	2,225
Balance at End of Year	$ 49,514	$ 42,069	$ 35,566