Not only it CAN be done, but I never did otherwise.

I admit to sometimes using a lever (if I am at home, because I don't carry one on the road, except for the built-in lever that's on my Alien tool) to take the tire off. I don't like using the tip of my fingers too much (I often twist my nails and hate that). But to put the tire back on the wheel, NEVER would I use a lever, and I just can't imagine what I would do with one. And as I said earlier, talc powder is certainly a plus here, also.