The aim of the study was to assess the state of the pulp of primary teeth successfully treated by formocresol pulpotomy. Nineteen teeth, all of them with clinically and radiographically successful treatments, were extracted 3-24 months after treatment. The pulpal condition had changed in all the teeth. Inflammatory reaction or necrosis was observed in all teeth. Dentinal resorption followed by apposition of hard tissue were common findings. In the teeth with vital tissue only in the apical area, the tissue had minor or no signs of inflammation. Microorganisms could be demonstrated in the necrotic tissue in one tooth. The wide range of pulpal conditions observed indicated that there was no typical tissue reaction to formocresol even though treatment was clinically successful. The present study confirms that the formocresol method should be regarded only as a means to keep primary teeth with pulp exposures functioning for a limited period of time.