Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)

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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 05, 2017
Apr. 18, 2017
Aug. 08, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, net of expenses $ 11,400 $ 10,200 $ 9,500 $ 21,761 $ 9,520
Preferred stock, par value       $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Deemed distribution to preferred shareholders, common stock at fair value       $ 3,978 $ 2,184
Working capital       22,700  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash       11,900  
Net accounts receivable       $ 10,124 9,784
Rights Offering | Common Stock          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Shares of common stock sold 26,302,703        
Proceeds from equity offering, gross $ 12,000        
Payments of stock issuance costs 600        
Proceeds from equity offering, net of expenses $ 11,400        
Rights Offering | Common Stock | Affiliates of Larry Feinberg          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Shares of common stock sold 10,745,614        
Rights Offering | Common Stock | Affiliates of Jack Schuler          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Shares of common stock sold 10,964,912        
2017 Private Placement          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross   10,500      
Payments of stock issuance costs   300      
Proceeds from equity offering, net of expenses   10,200      
Warrants exercisable description       The 2017 Warrants became exercisable on October 18, 2017 and expire on April 18, 2022, 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 of $1.80 per share for 30 consecutive trading days during the exercise period.  
Deemed distribution to preferred shareholders, common stock at fair value       $ 2,000  
2017 Private Placement | Series D Participating Convertible Preferred Stock          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross   $ 8,200      
Aggregate unregistered shares   80,644      
Preferred stock, par value   $ 0.001      
Conversion of stock, each shares issued   100      
Stock conversion, price   $ 1.24      
2017 Private Placement | 2017 Warrants          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross   $ 2,300      
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      
Warrants exercisable date   Oct. 18, 2017      
Warrants expiration date   Apr. 18, 2022      
Number of consecutive trading days   30 days      
2017 Private Placement | Common Stock and Warrants          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Expected term (years)       5 years  
Risk-free interest rate       1.90%  
Dividend yield       0.00%  
2017 Private Placement | Beneficial Conversion          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross       $ 2,000  
2016 Private Placement          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross     10,000    
Payments of stock issuance costs     500    
Proceeds from equity offering, net of expenses     9,500    
Deemed distribution to preferred shareholders, common stock at fair value         $ 1,100
2016 Private Placement | Series C Participating Convertible Preferred Stock          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross     $ 8,900    
Aggregate unregistered shares     88,494    
Conversion of stock, each shares issued     100    
Stock conversion, price     $ 1.13    
2016 Private Placement | Common Stock and Warrants          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Expected term (years)         5 years
Risk-free interest rate         1.03%
Dividend yield         0.00%
2016 Private Placement | Beneficial Conversion          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross         $ 1,100
2016 Private Placement | 2016 Warrants          
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Proceeds from equity offering, gross     $ 1,100    
Number of warrants to purchase aggregate unregistered shares of common stock     2,035,398    
Price per share of unregistered shares of common stock     $ 2.00    
Warrants exercisable date     Feb. 08, 2017    
Warrants expiration date     Aug. 08, 2021