Could you post a pic of the dent? Mild dents, or dents near the edge of the pan's bottom can be ignored.
Straightening a dent may not be a good idea, either. Sometimes a soft, dent (called an 'oil can' dent can be pulled straight using the technique you mention. But if the dent has any sharp creases, straightening it may split the metal along the crease.
My biggest concern with a deep dent is if any damage has occured to the pick-up tube.
A bent pick-up tube can loosen up and fall off in future, become cracked or be pinched so flow is inhibited.... all of which are bad.... so post that pic, if you can.
So, your best course of action depends entirely on what the dent looks like.