Are there alternatives to removing my wisdom teeth?

1. Remove all of them. Often suggested when several are stuck or likely to cause problems, so you have one surgery, one round of sedation if needed, and one recovery.
2. Remove only the ones causing problems, and watch the rest.
3. Keep them and watch them, with checkups and X-rays now and then. Reasonable for healthy teeth that can be kept clean.
4. Coronectomy (D7251): removing the top of a lower wisdom tooth and leaving roots that sit very close to the nerve, to lower the risk of numbness. Used only in specific cases, and not for a tooth with decay or infection. The roots left behind are checked on X-rays over time. Sometimes they slowly move away from the nerve and need a second, usually simpler, removal later.
5. Treat an infection first with cleaning and, sometimes, antibiotics, then decide. One mild gum infection doesn't always mean the tooth has to come out.

Some dentists and surgeons prefer removing problem-prone wisdom teeth early, while recovery is usually easier. Others prefer keeping healthy teeth until a problem appears. The research hasn't settled the question, so both approaches are reasonable. See My wisdom teeth don't hurt. Do they need to come out?