Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 10, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	BIOL
Entity Registrant Name	BIOLASE, INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000811240
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		93,014,195
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock at par value $0.001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity File Number	001-36385
Entity Tax Identification Number	87-0442441
Entity Address, Address Line One	27042 Towne Centre Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 270
Entity Address, City or Town	Lake Forest
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92610
City Area Code	949
Local Phone Number	361-1200
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true