What is the method used to repair a dent in wood by causing the fibers to rise?

The method used to repair a dent in wood by causing the fibers to rise is steam. When steam is applied to the dented area, it introduces moisture and heat, which causes the wood fibers to swell. This swelling effectively lifts the dent back to the original surface level. Steam is particularly effective because it alters the moisture content of the wood in a controlled manner, allowing for the gentle expansion of the fibers without further damaging the wood itself.

In the case of the other options, heat alone might not provide enough moisture to raise the fibers effectively and could potentially burn the wood if not monitored closely. Water can swell wood, but it typically requires more time to penetrate and may not provide the quick results that steam does. Pressure can help to flatten a dent, but it doesn’t actively facilitate the lifting of the fibers like steam does. Thus, steam remains the preferred method for this specific repair task.